The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has begun discussions with the West Africa Program to Combat AIDS and STI (WAPCAS Plus) and its donor partner, the Open Society Foundations, regarding sustainable funding mechanisms for implementing the substance use disorders (SUDs) and Rehabilitation Fund.
The discussions, held in Accra on Wednesday, focused on mobilising resources to support the Fund and exploring guidelines for implementing harm reduction policies.
During the meeting, the Director-General of NACOC, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, said the successful implementation of the Fund would strengthen the Commission’s capacity to provide support and rehabilitation services to persons with substance use disorders, particularly those in underserved communities.
He said NACOC would collaborate with relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to identify and reach persons affected by substance use disorders in vulnerable communities, including ghettos across the country.
Discussions focused on securing sustainable funding to enable the Fund to assist persons affected by substance use disorders across the country.
Major General Mantey also announced plans by the Commission to conduct a nationwide survey to obtain a comprehensive understanding of emerging trends in drug use.
He explained that the findings would provide evidence to guide policy formulation and enable NACOC to develop more responsive interventions to address the country’s evolving drug situation.
The Director-General reaffirmed NACOC’s commitment to intensifying public education on the dangers of substance abuse, particularly among schoolchildren, communities and organised groups.
He said prevention and public education remained essential components of the Commission’s efforts to address substance use and its associated social and health consequences.
Major General Mantey, however, stressed that NACOC would continue to enforce the laws against persons engaged in illicit drug trafficking and related offences.
He said the Commission’s approach would combine prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and harm reduction interventions with firm enforcement of Ghana’s narcotics laws.
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